Whats the Pentagons and the Secretarys reaction to a GAO report suggesting that Congress should delay funds at least a year to Lockheed Martin for the initial F-22s because of problems with testing (inaudible)?
We, of course, have seen that report. We’re studying the report and the whole issue right now. We believe the F-22 program should remain on its current schedule. It’s an important program. It’s important that we get the F-22 up and flying and into the force as soon as possible. But we will continue to review it, and make the program — our goal is to make the program work. We right now are sticking on the announced schedule. Q: So you would oppose any delay in funding at this point? A: At this stage we want to stay on the schedule which is to get the delivery of the first two production aircraft, I believe, in FY99. That’s what the contract calls for right now. Q: You say to stay on schedule, but the Air Force plan is to move the award of the contract up almost nine months. A: The issue as I understand it, in the GAO report, is whether to slip the contract from what is currently called for. The current contract… As I understand it, the GAO asked for a 12 month slip in the program. Th
